Best Brushes For Gouache

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Gouache is a type of paint that is made up of pigment, water, and an agent such as gum arabic. Gouache paint is usually opaque, meaning that it covers up the colours below it when applied and dries to a matte finish, making it a popular choice for illustrations and other artwork.

There are many different types of brushes that can be used for gouache painting, but some are better than others. Some of the best brushes for gouache are those made with natural hair, such as sable or squirrel. These brushes hold a lot of paint and produce a very smooth finish. Synthetic brushes can also be used for gouache, but they may not produce as smooth of a finish.

When choosing a brush for gouache painting, it is important to consider the size and shape of the brush head. Round brushes are good for painting large areas, while flat brushes are better for smaller areas or for creating lines. Filbert brushes are shaped like an almond and are good for both large and small areas.

It is also important to consider the type of bristles when choosing a brush for gouache. Natural hair bristles are the best choice for Gouache painting, as they hold more paint and produce a smoother finish. Synthetic bristles can be used, but they may not provide the same results.

Once you have chosen the perfect brush for your gouache painting, it is important to take care of it properly. Natural hair brushes should be washed in warm water and mild soap after each use. Synthetic brushes can be cleaned with synthetic brush cleaner or white vinegar. Be sure to rinse the brushes thoroughly and allow them to air dry before using them again.

Below is a list of the best 5 brushes I have taken the time to research and try, so carry on reading and see which of these brushes is best suited to you and your next gouache painting…

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01) D’Artisan Shoppe Artist Paint Brush Set Professional 15pc

Features:

• Natural hair brushes and synthetic bristle 
• Versatile
• Lasts longer 
• Comes with a lightweight, compact carrying case
• High quality 

Description

This ergonomically designed long-handled paint brush set includes 15 paint brushes including 4 flat paint brushes, 1 fan brush, 3 round brushes, 4 filbert brushes, 1 angle brush, 1 slightly thicker brush, and 1 broad brush so you can paint in every style you want. This set paints better, lasts longer, and is guaranteed for a reason.

Review:

I was really impressed with the D’Artisan Shoppe Artist Paint Brush Set Professional 15pc.

The natural hair brushes and synthetic bristles make it versatile and the long handle makes it perfect for detailed work (and I usually prefer shorter handles as a rule).

I didn’t have any problems with stray bristles and the case makes it easy to take with you wherever you go.

Overall, I would highly recommend this set to anyone, especially those who are looking for a high-quality brush set that will last them a long time.

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02) IRO Artist Paint Brush Set of 15 + 1.

Features:

• High quality 
• Synthetic hair material
• Has well-rounded kit
• Silicone chisel
• Protective case with individual placements

Description

IRO Artist Paint Brush Set,an assorted variety of paintbrushes. This versatile set is the most complete on the market. It has angles 4 and 8, Flat 8, Comb 8, Round 4, 6 and 8, Filbert 8, Fan 8, Liner or Rigger 1, Bright 8, Mob 6, Cats Tongue 8, Dagger or Pinstriping 8, Wash 1, and Silicone Chisel 7. Works well with gouache painting and mixed media.

Review:

As ever, I was really excited to try out the IRO Artist Paint Brush Set as soon as I got it. The set comes with a variety of different brushes, all of which are made with synthetic hair material.

I found that the bristles were very soft and well-rounded, which made them perfect for use with gouache painting and mixed media.

I was also impressed with the protective case that comes with the set (although perhaps not as durable as it could have been ), but it offers individual placements for each brush. This is definitely a great feature, as it prevents the brushes from getting tangled or damaged.

The only downside I found with this set was that the brushes could be considered expensive for the amount you get.

Additionally, the case is not the most durable as I’ve mentioned, so I would be careful with it if you plan on travelling with the set.

Overall though, I would highly recommend the IRO Artist Paint Brush Set to anyone looking for a complete and versatile set of brushes.

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03) MyArtscape Paint Brushes

Features:

• Expensive Korean golden Taklon hair material
• Anti-shedding hair
• Excellent quality 
• Well-constructed 
• Easy to handle. 

Description

MyArtscape Paint Brushes contains 8 unique brush types made from expensive Korean bicolor Golden Taklon hair that is available only in this 15-piece set. They deliver more paint, more evenly for longer strokes compared to cheaper, inferior brushes which means less time dipping into your paint and more time painting whether you paint in acrylic, gouache, or oil.

Review:

I tried out the MyArtscape Paint Brushes and was really impressed with them.

They’re made from expensive Korean bicolor Golden Taklon hair, which makes them deliver more paint, more evenly for longer strokes. This is perfect for frustration-free painting, and they’re also a reasonable price.

…and finally, let’s not forget the zippered case for easy storage too!

The only downside is that they have a slightly lower-end brush finish, but overall I’m really happy with them.

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04) Golden Maple 6Pcs Japanese Nylon Flat Paint Brush Set

Features:

• Professional quality artist paint brushes
• Japanese Nylon material, sable brushes
• Long handles made of polished birch wood 
• High-grade Copper ferrules 

Description

Golden Maple 6Pcs Japanese Nylon Flat Paint Brush comes in ideal sizes: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12. providing a good range of brush strokes and techniques to produce your work of art. These flat artist brushes offer the best liquid holding capacity and spring back well. The smooth birch handles provide a luxurious look and feel.

Review:

As I may or may not have mentioned, I’m a professional artist lol, and as such I’ve tried out a lot of brushes and I have to say that these Golden Maple Japanese Nylon Flat Paint Brushes are some of the best I’ve ever used.

The nylon bristles are soft and provide a smooth flow of paint, while the wooden handles are easy and delightful to use.

The ferrules are high-grade copper, which ensures a long lifespan for the brushes.

My only slight complaint( and I really am clutching here) is that the handles are perhaps a bit too short for some artists? – but, I’m really trying hard to find fault here as overall, these are excellent brushes and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for the best gouache brush set.

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05) Artify Expert Paint Brushes Art Set for Acrylic Oil Watercolour Gouache

Features:

• Nylon material
• High quality
• Flash aluminium ferrules
• Canvas bag with PVC waterproof
• Special mix color of handle coating

Description

There are 8 different shapes in this set, 41 different brushes in total and are perfect as gouache art supplies. Each brush set contains 17 pcs advanced nylon brushes, 12 pcs artist hog bristle, and 12 decent horse hair brushes. Here are 8 different shapes in this set, each set contains Flat, Flat Wash, Round, Filbert, Fan, Sawtooth, Angular, and Liner.

Review:

As always, I was excited to test out the Artify Expert Paint Brushes Art Set. The set includes 41 different brushes in total, perfect for any type of gouache artwork. The bristles are made from nylon, so they are high quality and won’t rust.

The ferrules are made from aluminium and are flash-coated to prevent rusting and the handles are coated with a special mix of colors to prevent them from fading.

The set also comes with a canvas bag with PVC waterproofing to protect the brushes while not in use.

I was impressed with the overall quality of the set. The bristles are soft and hold up well to repeated use whilst the ferrules are well-made and the handles are comfortable to hold.

The only slight downside I found was that the hog hair brushes can be prone to falling out if not cared for properly.

Overall, however, this is a great set of brushes for any artist looking for high-quality gouache supplies.

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General Information About Choosing The Best Brushes For Gouache Painting

As mentioned I have tried a lot of brushes over the years and, in my opinion (this may not be your opinion of course), the best brushes for gouache painting are those made from natural hair.

The bristles are soft and hold up well to repeated use, whilst the ferrules are well-made and the handles are comfortable to hold.

I would also recommend choosing a set of brushes that come with a canvas bag or case. This will help to protect the brushes when they are not in use and prevent them from becoming damaged.

Finally, another top tip that many forget to apply is – don’t forget to clean your brushes regularly! This will help to prolong their lifespan and ensure that they continue to perform at their best.

Conclusion / Roundup

I hope that you have found this roundup helpful and that it has given you a good starting point for choosing the best brushes for your gouache painting needs.

I would encourage you to try out a few different sets and see which ones work best for you – after all, everyone is different and what works well for one person may not work as well for another.

Happy painting! 🙂

FAQs

Will gouache paints ruin my watercolor brushes?

Gouache can ruin your watercolor brushes if the paint is allowed to dry on the bristles. It is important to clean your brushes thoroughly after each use to prevent this from happening.

What kind of gouache paint brushes do you use as a beginner?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question as everyone is different and will have their own preferences.

However, as a general guide, I would recommend using synthetic brushes as they are easier to control and less likely to shed bristles.

Once you have become more confident with gouache painting, you can experiment with different brush types to see which ones work best for you.

What is the best brush to use for gouache highlights?

The best brush to use for gouache highlights is a synthetic brush with a fine tip. This will allow you to create precise highlights without the risk of shedding bristles.

What kind of paper works well with gouache brushes?

Gouache works well on watercolour paper, but you could also use some thick drawing paper. It sometimes depends on how much water you are using.

What do nylon bristles enable?

Nylon bristles are strong and don’t rust. They also have a special mix of colors to prevent them from fading.

Can I use a palette knife with gouache paint?

Yes, you can use a palette knife with gouache paint.

However, it is important to clean the blade after each use to prevent the paint from drying on it.

Are gouache paint brushes different to oil brushes?

Gouache paint brushes are not necessarily different to oil brushes.

However, they are often smaller in size and have softer bristles to prevent the paint from drying out too quickly.

How does gouache compare to watercolour?

Gouache is similar to watercolour in that it is a water-based paint.

However, gouache is thicker and more opaque, which makes it ideal for creating bolder, more vibrant colours.

You could say gouache is an opaque watercolour.

Is watercolor paper ok to use with gouache?

Watercolour paper is generally fine to use with gouache.

However, it is important to check the weight the manufacturer’s instructions to be sure.

What are the different types of brushes?

Ther are many types of brushed but the main styles are flat brush, fan brushes, filbert brushes, round brushes, and angular shaders.

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